The Covid-19 age has brought many challenges, and the over 50s in particular are affected in the ways they live their lives.

Now a new programme has been drawn up to help people come to terms with the 'new normal' and embrace technology and lifestyles that can help them remain positive.

Challenge Age is being run by Island woman Christina Conroy and is being piloted, with the support of the Isle of Wight Council, on the Island.

Inspired by the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, Challenge Age is a personal development programme for adults 50-plus to promote well-being (both physical and mental), positive lifestyles, preparation for retirement or new employment outcomes.

According to Christina, it is about ageing positively, gaining new skills and new social networks to achieve self-fulfilment.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The programme starts with a Gateway Module that enables participants to become connected using new technologies that will enable them to network with others on the programme and within their community.

It starts with a coaching telephone call and ends with the participant operating safely and effectively in online space to connect with others.

Once the Gateway Module is completed, Challenge Age participants undertake four challenges.

These are to undertake community service, sport or physical exercise, new skill or hobby and a journey of discovery or expedition.

Participants undertake the challenges as an individual (Bronze Award); as a member of a team or with others (Silver Award) or as a leader (Gold Award).

Learning takes place online, in virtual meetings and outdoors.

The programme is designed with a high level of user safety for all staff and participants to reduce risk.

Each participant is assigned a personal tutor who will support them throughout the programme.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Christina, project director, said: “In these difficult times we need to take a positive approach and see this as a time when we can invest in ourselves.

"We have designed a programme that can be undertaken safely whatever Covid-19 control measures are introduced.

"Challenge Age has been designed to enable participants to gain the skills they need to fully participate in the new order but also to challenge themselves to realise greater personal fulfilment and confidence.”

To find out e-mail info@challengeage.com